Iconic Italy
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ItalyVenice, Tuscany & Rome

Iconic Italy

Venice, Tuscany & Rome — history, food and wine in eleven unforgettable days

Duration

11 Days / 10 Nights

Travel Style

Small Group

Starting In

Venice

Ending In

Rome

Departures

17 Oct 2026 · 11 Apr 2027

Iconic Italy11 Days / 10 Nights

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Overview

Discover the rich history of Italy's most iconic cities on this eleven-day journey. From the enchanting canals of Venice to the Renaissance heart of Florence and the ancient wonders of Rome, every stop offers a glimpse into Italy's extraordinary culture, history, and cuisine.

Visit historic landmarks, take a gondola ride through Venice, and admire masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Learn to make pasta with a professional chef in Rome, savour food and wine at a private Tuscan wine estate near San Gimignano, and stroll the charming neighbourhood of Trastevere.

With all the benefits of an escorted tour — a Tour Leader, expert local guides, and every key admission pre-arranged — plus generous free time to explore at your own pace, this journey uncovers the very best of Italy's most celebrated cities.

Trip Highlights

  • Gondola ride through the breathtaking canals of Venice
  • Wander the lavish halls of the Doge's Palace
  • Discover the famous masterpieces that fill the Uffizi Gallery
  • Enjoy a 3-course lunch at a historic wine estate near San Gimignano in Tuscany
  • Explore the awe-inspiring Colosseum and Roman Forum
  • Learn to make pasta from a professional chef in Rome
  • Visit the glassblowing masters of Murano and the colourful streets of Burano
  • Immerse yourself in the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
  • Stroll the charming Roman neighbourhood of Trastevere

Day by Day

01

Venice — Arrival

Arrive at Venice Airport and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore the intricate canals and stunning Gothic architecture of this floating city. This evening, meet your Tour Leader and fellow travellers at a local Venetian restaurant for a welcome dinner.

Airport transfer

Met on arrival and transferred to your hotel via private vehicle.

Afternoon at leisure

Explore Venice's canals, bridges, and hidden alleyways at your own pace.

Welcome dinner

A 3-course meal paired with a bottle of wine at a local Venetian restaurant — the perfect start to the journey.

02

Venice — Gondola & Doge's Palace

Begin with an orientation walking tour through Venice's winding alleyways and picturesque canals, then visit the magnificent Doge's Palace before an iconic gondola ride.

Orientation walking tour

Stroll cobblestone streets lined with centuries-old palazzi, making your way to the heart of the city — Piazza San Marco.

Lunch at leisure

Time to explore Venice's trattorias and cafés independently.

Doge's Palace

Masterpiece of Venetian Gothic architecture and former residence of the Doge of Venice — the supreme authority of the Venetian Republic. Wander through lavish halls, the Bridge of Sighs, and historic state rooms.

Gondola ride

A private 30-minute gondola ride along Venice's iconic canals — a quintessential Venetian experience.

Dinner at leisure

Explore Venice's culinary treasures at your own pace this evening.

03

Venice — Murano & Burano

Cruise to the island of Murano to watch master glassblowers at work, then continue to the vivid, colour-splashed streets of Burano. Return to Venice for cicchetti and local wine at a historic bacaro.

Murano glassblowing factory

Visit a working factory where master artisans transform molten glass into exquisite works of art, continuing a tradition centuries old.

Burano

Stroll through vibrant streets lined with houses painted in vivid hues — one of the most photogenic spots in the Venetian lagoon.

Venetian cicchetti experience

Return to Venice and discover the city's culinary tradition at one of its historic bacari (wine bars), savouring small bites paired with a glass of local wine.

04

Venice to Florence

Board a high-speed premium class train and watch the Tuscan countryside unfold as you travel to Florence. Arrive in time for a guided walking tour and a private evening at the Uffizi Gallery.

High-speed train to Florence

Premium class train ticket — a comfortable and scenic journey through northern Italy.

Hotel check-in

Check in at Lungarno Gallery Hotel Art in the heart of Florence.

Guided walking tour of Florence

Begin at the storied Piazza della Repubblica and meander through narrow streets before emerging into Piazza della Signoria, with its open-air sculpture gallery.

Uffizi Gallery — private tour

A private tour of one of the world's greatest art museums. For centuries the Uffizi has drawn visitors to masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Raphael.

Dinner

Dinner at a local restaurant in Florence.

05

Pisa & Lucca

Immerse yourself in the splendour of the Campo dei Miracoli — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — before a relaxed afternoon exploring the ancient walled city of Lucca.

Campo dei Miracoli, Pisa

Admire the grandeur of the Duomo, the Baptistry, and the famous Leaning Tower — one of the world's most recognisable architectural wonders.

Lucca

A walking tour of this beautifully preserved city, whose ancient boundary wall dates to the 16th century and is broad enough to walk and cycle along.

Lunch

Lunch included during the day's excursion.

06

Florence — Markets & Boboli Gardens

A culinary journey through Florence's vibrant central market, followed by an afternoon in the magnificent Boboli Gardens — an outdoor museum of art, nature, and history.

Florence Central Market food tour

Explore this historic cast-iron market with your local guide, meeting vendors showcasing the region's finest ingredients. Select local delicacies to enjoy during a picnic lunch.

Boboli Gardens

Established by the Medici family, this extraordinary Italian garden is populated by ancient and Renaissance statues, grottos, and large fountains — where nature, art, science and alchemy meet.

Lunch

Picnic-style lunch using market-fresh ingredients.

07

San Gimignano & Colle Val d'Elsa

Venture to the enchanting hilltop town of San Gimignano, then enjoy a private lunch at a Tuscan wine estate before finishing the afternoon in the artisan town of Colle Val d'Elsa.

San Gimignano

A UNESCO World Heritage gem renowned for its skyline of 14 soaring medieval towers. Stroll through the centro storico and take in the views across the Tuscan hills.

Wine estate lunch near San Gimignano

A private visit to a historic wine estate just outside the city. Discover rural Tuscan culture and traditions, and savour a delicious 3-course lunch paired with the estate's finest local wines.

Colle Val d'Elsa

A charming town famed for its artistry in crystal and glassware since the 17th century. Browse elegant boutiques, explore picturesque streets, and perhaps treat yourself to a scoop of artisanal gelato.

Dinner at leisure

Choose from Florence's array of exquisite dining experiences this evening.

08

Florence to Rome — Trastevere & Pasta Class

A high-speed train to Rome, then an afternoon in the charming neighbourhood of Trastevere before an evening pasta-making class with a professional chef.

High-speed train to Rome

Premium class train ticket — arrive in Rome in under 1.5 hours.

Hotel check-in and lunch at leisure

Check in at Starhotels Michelangelo Roma, conveniently located near the Vatican.

Trastevere walking tour

Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of this beloved Roman neighbourhood — cobblestone streets, ivy-clad facades, and lively piazzas where locals and travellers mingle.

Pasta cooking class

A private pasta-making class led by a professional chef. Master the art of crafting fresh pasta from scratch, then sit down for dinner to savour your own creations.

09

Rome — Colosseum & Roman Forum

Step back in time and uncover the glories of Ancient Rome, beginning at the iconic Colosseum before continuing to the ancient ruins of the Roman Forum.

The Colosseum

Wander through the monumental arches of the amphitheatre that once hosted 50,000 spectators for epic spectacles and gladiatorial contests — one of the world's greatest architectural achievements.

Roman Forum

A vast series of monumental piazzas and ancient ruins that served as the political and social heart of Ancient Rome for centuries.

Afternoon and evening at leisure

Continue exploring the Eternal City — there is no shortage of treasure to discover.

10

Rome — Vatican Museums & Farewell Dinner

An unforgettable morning in the spiritual and artistic heart of the Catholic world, followed by a free afternoon and a farewell dinner to celebrate the journey.

Vatican Museums

Home to one of the most extraordinary art collections on earth — including Michelangelo's breathtaking Genesis frescoes on the Sistine Chapel ceiling.

St Peter's Basilica

The most revered church in Christendom, with Michelangelo's magnificent dome and Bernini's colonnaded piazza.

Afternoon at leisure

Stroll elegant streets, pause for an espresso, browse boutiques, or visit one of Rome's many galleries.

Farewell dinner

Gather for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant — a celebration of the journey and the people you've shared it with.

11

Rome — Departure

After breakfast, transfer to Rome Fiumicino Airport. Your wonderful Italian journey comes to an end.

Breakfast and check-out

Final breakfast at the hotel before your private transfer to Rome Fiumicino Airport.

What's Included

Included

  • 10 nights accommodation at 4-star hotels
  • Guided city tours in Venice, Florence, Lucca and Rome
  • Admission to Doge's Palace, Uffizi Gallery, Campo dei Miracoli Complex, Boboli Gardens, Roman Forum, Colosseum, and Vatican Museums
  • Welcome dinner at a local restaurant in Venice
  • 30-minute gondola ride in Venice
  • Visit to an exclusive glassblowing factory in Murano
  • Tasting of Venetian cicchetti and local wine in Venice
  • Private visit to a wine estate near San Gimignano — 3-course lunch included
  • Visit to Colle Val d'Elsa
  • Pasta cooking class with a professional chef in Rome
  • Farewell dinner at a local restaurant in Rome
  • High-speed premium class train — Venice to Florence, and Florence to Rome
  • Meals as specified in the itinerary
  • Services of a Tour Leader and expert local driver/guides
  • One-way private transfer from Venice Airport to hotel
  • One-way private transfer from hotel to Rome Fiumicino Airport
  • Small group travel — maximum 16 guests

Not Included

  • International flights to Venice and from Rome
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Personal expenses, drinks, and extras
  • Optional activities not listed above
  • Gratuities for guides and drivers

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